Push-in can lid



Nov. 28, 1967 C. T. ASBURY 3,355,058

PUSH-IN CAN LID Filed Dec. 6, 1965 INVENTOR. CHARLES 7. HSBURY UnitedStates Patent 3,355,058 PUSH-IN CAN LII) (Iharles T. Asbury, 717 Isle ofPalms, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33301 Filed Dec. 6, 196$,Ser. No. 512,58311 Claims. (Cl. 220-48) This invention relates to can lids of the tearopen type and is particularly concerned with a can lid of this nature inwhich a tab region is scored in the lid and is adapted for being pushedin to open the container of which the lid forms a part.

Can lids of the push in type areillustrated in my earlier applicationsSerial No. 301,566, Patent No. 3,246,- 791, filed August 12, 1963, andSerial No. 394,895, Patent No. 3,227,304, filed September 8, 1964, andentitled: Can-0pening Arrangement (both applications) and both saidapplications now being allowed.

In the earlier applications referred to there are shown arrangements inwhich a tab region is outlined by a score mark in the lid and the tabregion is also raised upwardly from the lid so that pressure can beapplied thereto and tear the tab loose from the lid whereby it willpress inwardly of the lid and form an opening through which access canbe gained to the contents of the container of which the lid forms apart.

The present application is particularly concerned with improvements in atear open can lid of this nature.

More particularly, the present invention is concerned with improvementsrelative to the formation of the tab and the formation of the score lineabout the tab and to certain features in connection with the tab and thelid region surrounding the tab to prevent injury to the finger or toprevent nail polish on the nails of the fingers from becoming marred.

The present invention also relates to improvements in connection withthe score line and which score line is so formed that it will rupturerelatively easily at the tip end of the tab so that the commencing ofthe tearing of the tab from therlid can be accomplished by theapplication of a relatively small amount of pressure to the tab.

With the usual type so-called easy opening or tear open lid, a region isscored in the lid which is to be torn therefrom and a key is connectedto this region by a relatively complicated arrangement in which ablister is raised on the lid and the key is dropped over the'blister andthen the blister is flattened out on top of the key. This is not onlyexpensive and relatively complex but the result of opening such. a canis that there is a tab and key torn out which must be disposed of. Theseparation of the tab and key from the lid is objectionable in that suchloose tabs become a nuisance and can be caught in drains and disposalunits and thrown on the ground where they can be stepped on. The presentinvention therefore has a further object the provision of an easyopening can in which there is no tab and key to be disposed of but,instead, the tab remains premanently with the can at all times.

With the type of tear open cans in which the tab is pulled outwardly?not only is there the problem of disposing of the torn out tab but thereis also a rough burr formed about the opening which can be hazardous ifa finger is rubbed over the opening. With this in mind it is a stillfurther object of the present invention to provide a tear open can inwhich not only does the tab stay with the can, but the usual burr formedaround the Opening is also eliminated and, instead, the periphery of theopening is actually rolled in so as substantially to prevent thepresenting of any rough edges in any position that can be reached withthe finger.

The features and advantages of the present invention 3,355,058 PatentedNov. 28, 1967 will become more apparent upon reference to the followingdetailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawingsin which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper portion of acontainer showing a part of a lid thereof; and showing a push in tabaccording to the present invention formed in the lid;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary plan view looking down on top of the tab ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view similar to FIGURE 1 but drawn at somewhatenlarged scale showing the tab pushed inwardly of the lid;

FIGURE 4 is a view like FIGURE 1 but shows a modification;

FIGURE 5 is a view looking up from beneath the lid showing a detail inconnection with the formation of the score mark about the tab;

FIGURE 6 is a transverse sectional view indicated by line VI-VI onFIGURE 2 and drawn at somewhat increased scale;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view indicated by line VII-- VII on FIGURE 2 andalso drawn at somewhat increased scale;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a modified arrangementaccording to the present invention and particularly concerned with theformation of the score line about the push-in tab; and

FIGURE 9 is a view like FIGURE 8 but showing the tab partly pushed inillustrating how the lid about the periphery of the opening is rolledinwardly to eliminate the objectional burrs about the opening.

Referring to the drawings somewhat more in detail, in FIGURE 1 referencenumeral 10 represents a container such as a beverage can and 12indicates the lid which is sealed on the upper end of the containeraccording to any well known and conventional practice.

The lid, adjacent the periphery thereof is formed with at least oneupwardly projecting tab 14. This tab is longer than is wide and has itsgreatest length extending substantially radially of the lid. The tab issurrounded by a scored region 16 which passes along the sides of the taband around the outer end thereof. The scored region may extend inwardlyat the back of the tab as indicated at 18 to form a hinge region but itwill be understood that the scored region, may stop in a regionsubstantially aligned with the back end 20 of the tab and satisfactoryresults will be obtained. The rear end of the score mark defines a hingeregion when the tab turns inwardly and this region can be defined bystopping the score line at the back end of the tab although the hingeregion can be more sharply defined by turning the score mark inwardly atthe back of the tab as at 18.

The tab is adapted for being pushed inwardly of the lid by theapplication of pressure thereto, as by the thumb, and when pushedinwardly will appear about as shown in FIGURE 3. It has been found thatthis opening is adequate for emptying a beverage can of, say 12 ounces,in relatively short time, say from 6 to 9 seconds, which is adequate. Insize the tab is about 3 to wide and its back or hinge end and is on theorder from /2 to 4:" long in the radial direction measuring from theback end to the point end thereof and tapers somewhat inwardly towardsthe front as shown in FIGURE 2 and has a substantially rounded frontend.

The particular tab shown is smaller than is illustrated in theaforementioned earlier applications but it has been found that thesmaller tab shown in the present application is of merit because itprevents the thumb or finger from slipping into the periphery of theaperture from which the tab is pushed and thereby eliminates anypossibility of the finger being cut or scratched on the edge of the lidaround the aperture. In addition, the smaller tab is somewhat easier toform and, as mentioned forms an opening of adequate size in the lid.

It will be observed in the drawings that the tab is rather sharplycrowned and that it has a substantially fiat top surface. This also isof merit because the flat top surface presents an ideal region for theapplication of pressure without discomfort to the finger while therelatively steep sides and back and front walls form an idealarrangement for transmitting pressing forces downwardly to the scoredregion about the tab. There is very little tendency, with the formationof the tab according to the present invention, for the tab to bend orfor it to expand laterally due to the pressure applied thereto and makeit difficult for the tab to tear loose. Rather, the application ofpressure to the tab will break it loose at the front end and tearingwill proceed along the sides of the tab back to the hinge at the backedge while simultaneously the tab is pushed inwardly to its FIGURE 3position.

It will also be apparent that the steep back end of the tab is of such anature that the tab can be pushed into the lid so as to extenddownwardly into the container substantially at right angles to the lidthus providing for the maximum elfectiveness of the opening providedwhen the tab is pushed into the lid. The pushing of the tab completelyinto the lid so that it extends substantially at right angles theretointo the container is of particular merit when carbonated beverage iscontained within the container because the unobstructed opening willpermit the beverage to flow from the container with a minimum amount ofagitation and thereby the beverage when poured from the container can becaused to retain the proper degree of carbonation therein after it hasbeen poured into a glass or the like.

As will be seen in FIGURES 6 and 7, the tab 14 is surrounded by a region22 Within which region there is a score mark 24. The region 22 is formedby areas on the forming dies in which the lid is formed and may besomewhat depressed or somewhat raised on somewhat curvilinear. Withinthis region, as mentioned, the score mark 24 is formed and which scoremark is impressed in the region either from the top or the bottom so asto form a thinned out tear line around the tab.

The thickness of the lid at the bottom of the groove and which is thatportion of the lid to be torn when the tab is pushed in, is held veryclosely to a certain thickness so that the can of which the lid forms apart will hold as much pressure as is necessary while at the same timethe tearing is uniform and each and every tab requires about the sameamount of force to break it loose when pressure is applied thereto. Itis preferable for the score mark to be formed from the underside of thelid, as shown in FIG- URES 6 and 7 because this will eliminate thepossibility of the score mark picking up dirt and the like. As mentionedhowever the score line can be formed from the top of the lid and the tabwill still tear out quite easily.

A particular feature of the present invention is to be found in theformation of the score mark at the front end of the tab. This will beseen in FIGURES 2, 3 and where it will be seen that the score markterminates in a relatively sharp point 26. This point projects outwardlyfrom the front end of the lid and forms a region where, upon theapplication of pressure to the tab, stresses will be concentrated sothat tearing of the tab from the lid can be initiated relatively easily.The condition is such that concentration of stress comes about becauseof the pressure applied to the tab but the capability of the lid forholding pressures within the container on which the lid is mounted isnot decreased. I have found, however, that the formation of the point,as shown, increases the ease with which tearing of the tab from the lidcan commence and, of course, once tearing is commenced it will progressrelatively easily as the tab is pressed downwardly into the container.

FIGURE 4 shows a modification which is the same as those previouslydescribed except there is a rounded upstanding protective rib 28 formedin the lid and upstanding around the back or inner end and extendingalong the sides of the tab.

FIGURE 4 also shows somewhat schematically how a thumb resting on thetab will be so located that even when the tab is pushed inwardly, thenail of the thumb will not encounter any upstanding portion. The rib 28protects the nail against striking any part of the lid and, therefore,no damage to the nail polish in case the can is being opened by a womanhaving polished nails. The rib 28 will form a sort of a fulcrum pointabout which the thumb can be tilted while at the same time holding thethumb elevated from the can. The periphery of the opening around thetab, as mentioned before, is such that the thumb will not go down intothe aperture and thus the nail or polish thereon will not be damaged forthis reason either.

It will be seen that the tab is lower in heighth than the rim 32 of thecan and is thus protected from being accidently knocked into openedposition by handling of the can.

It will be observed that the score mark is disposed in a region 30 whichis somewhat compacted or coined in the lid forming dies. This region maybe fiat or somewhat curved, as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7 and theprovision thereof insures uniform thickness of material at the bottom ofthe score line for uniform tearing out resistance.

The coined or compacted region terminates in a rounded part 34 at thefront or outer end of the tab in which the point 26 of the score line isdisposed.

FIGURES 8 and 9 show a particularly advantageous arrangement of thepresent invention in which I have discovered, through test andexperimentation, has considerable advantage. The usual score line aroundthe tear out tab of a tear open lid is quite narrow and is made with arelatively sharp element on the forming dies. I have found that not onlycan the life of the die be considerably increased and the cost made lessexpensive but also the tearing out of the tab can be made easier if thescore line is made in the form of a wide angle V-shaped groove. As shownin FIGURES 8 and 9, the score line is from .018 inch upwardly in widthat the surface of the lid into which the score line is formed. Usually,the lid stock is about .015 inch thick and the thickness remaining fromthe bottom or apex of the groove to the other side of the lid is on theorder of about .005 inch.

By forming the score line quite wide as illustrated in FIGURES 8 and 9,particularly 8, because of the point end of the score line in the curveddepression at the front end of the tab, I find it easier to initiatetearing of the tab from the lid and to cause the tearing to proceeduntil the tab is bent into the lid. The wide angle groove also has atendency to cause the periphery of the opening to roll inwardly asillustrated in FIGURE 9 thereby to eliminate burrs from about theperiphery of the opening.

I have found that the rolling inwardly of the lid about the periphery ofthe opening can be considerably enhanced by the provision of anauxiliary, preferably, somewhat rounded groove extending about the scoreline on the opposite side thereof from the tab. This additional grooveor recess somewhat relieves stresses in the lid and also permits thematerial of the lid adjacent the periphery of the opening to bend moreeasily and thereby forms the rolled-in edge illustrated in FIGURE 9.

In FIGURES 8 and 9, the lid is indicated at 50 and the tab is indicatedat 52. The wide angle score line according to the present invention isindicated at 54 and the aforementioned relief groove is indicated at 56.

As will be seen in FIGURE 9, when the tab 52 is pressed downwardly, theperiphery of the opening, indicated generally at 58, rolls downwardlytoward the inside of the lid and thereby eliminates the burr which ischaracteristic of tear open lids. It will be evident that the rolling inof the lid about the periphery opening forms a safety feature of meritwhich further protects the finger of the person opening the can againstpossible cutting during the opening of the container. in the case of allof the modifications illustrated and referred to it will be understoodthat the score line could be placed either on top of the lid or on thebottom of the lid about the tab but the preference is to place the scoreline on the bottom of the lid in order to eliminate a region that couldpiclr up soil. The top of the lid can easily be cleaned by wiping it offwhere the score line is on the bottom of the lid.

In the modifications of FIGURES 8 and 9 it is of further advantage toplace the score line and the relief groove 56 on the bottom of the lidbecause this will enhance the elimination of the burr and the rolling inof the lid about the periphery of the opening. When the lid tends tobend downwardly about the periphery of the opening the material in thelower part of the lid is placed in compression and the provision of therelief 56 thus permit the rolling to be more pronounced than wouldotherwise occur.

It will be understood that this invention is susceptible to modificationin order to adapt it to difierent usages and conditions; andaccordingly, it is desired to comprehend such modifications within thisinvention as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a tear open can lid; a tab embossed in said lid and forming araised region in the lid near the periphery thereof longer in the radialdirection of the lid than in the circumferential direction thereof, saidtab being rounded at its radially outer end and fiat at its radiallyinner end and somewhat curved along its sides, and a score lineextending along the sides and around the outer end of the tab to permitthe tab to tear free from the lid when pressed downwardly, said scoreline leading to a point at the outer end of the tab.

2. A tear open can lid according to claim 1 in which the lid is formedwith a rounded recess therein at the radially outward end of the tab,and said point of said score line being disposed in said rounded recess.

3. A tear open can lid according to claim 1 in which the region alongthe sides and around the outer end of the tab is coined 0r compactedduring the forming of the tab in the lid and the score line is disposedin said compacted region, said compacted region including a roundedportion at the outer end of the tab in which said point end of the scoreline is disposed.

4. A tear open can lid according to claim 1 in which the score lineextends inwardly at the inner end of the tab from each side thereoftoward but terminating short of the center of the tab to define a hingeregion about d which the tab turns when the tab is pressed inwardly ofthe lid.

5. A tear open can lid according to claim 1 in which the top of the tabis substantially flat and the side areas of the tab are steeply inclinedto the plane of the lid.

6. A tear open can lid according to claim 1 in which the top of the tabis substantially flat and the side areas of the tab are steeply inclinedto the plane of the lid, said lid having an upwardly formed rounded ribtherein extending across behind the inner end of said tab and at leastpartway along the sides thereof toward the outer end of the tab.

7. A tear open can lid according to claim 1 in which said score line isformed in the bottom of the lid.

8. A tear open can lid according to claim 1 in which said tab is fromabout /2" to As" long radially of the lid and about A" to its" widecircumferentially of the lid.

9. A tear open can lid according to claim 1 in which said score linecomprises a relatively wide angle groove having a relatively sharp apexat the bottom, said groove at the open side being on the order of about.018" wide and said groove in depth being about .010.

10. A tear open can lid according to claim 1 in which said lid has athickness of about .015" and said score line is relatively wide angledand at its open side has a width of about .018" and terminates in arelatively sharp apex at the bottom and is about .010 deep and anadditional relief groove closely adjacent said score line on theopposite side of said score line from said tab of a smaller size thansaid score line and substantially coextensive with said score line.

11. A tear open can lid according to claim 1 in which said score line ison the bottom of the lid and is relatively wide angled and a groove isprovided on the under side of the lid extending about the score line onthe side thereof opposite said tab whereby upon pressing the said tabinwardly of the lid said groove forms a relief region which will permitthe lid about the periphery of the score line to roll inwardly wherebyto eliminate a burr about the periphery of the said opening.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,261,117 11/1941 Jack 220-273,227,304 1/1966 Asbury 220 -48 3,246,791 4/ 1966 Asbury 220-27 THERONE. CONDON, Primary Examiner. G. HALL, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN A TEAR OPEN CAN LID; A TAB EMBOSSED IN SAID LID AND FORMING ARAISED REGION IN THE LID NEAR THE PERIPHERY THEREOF LONGER IN THE RADIALDIRECTION OF THE LID THAN IN THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL DIRECTION THEREOF, SAIDTAB BEING ROUNDED AT ITS RADIALLY OUTER END AND FLAT AT ITS RADIALLYINNER END AND SOMEWHAT CURVED ALONG ITS SIDES, AND A SCORE LINEEXTENDING ALONG THE SIDES AND AROUND THE OUTER END OF THE TAB TO PERMITTHE TAB TO TEAR FREE FROM THE LID WHEN PRESSED DOWNWARDLY, SAID SCORELINE LEADING TO A POINT AT THE OUTER END OF THE TAB.